Having moisture or liquid damage in your phone’s charging port can be very frustrating. It can prevent your phone from charging properly and damage the charging port over time. Thankfully, there are several methods you can try at home to dry out the charging port and get your phone charging again.
Use compressed air
One of the quickest and easiest ways to get moisture out of your charging port is to use compressed air. Canned air spray designed for cleaning electronics works best. Follow these steps:
- Make sure your phone is turned off and unplugged from any power source.
- Use a toothpick or other small non-conductive tool to gently clean any visible debris or dirt from the charging port.
- Hold the can of compressed air vertically with the straw 2-3 inches from the charging port.
- Press down on the tip of the straw in short bursts while moving the can around the port opening.
- Let the compressed air blow out any stuck moisture or debris.
- Visually inspect the port to see if any moisture remains.
- Repeat short bursts until the port appears dry.
The compressed air forces air through the port, pushing out drops of liquid in the process. Make sure to stop if any liquid comes out so it doesn’t get pushed in deeper. Wipe away any moisture around the port opening with a dry cloth or cotton swab.
Absorb moisture with dry rice
Uncooked rice can work like a desiccant to draw moisture out of your phone’s charging port. Here’s how:
- Pour a small bowl of uncooked rice – enough to submerge the charging port when the phone is placed on top.
- Make sure the charging port is facing down into the rice bowl and the phone is turned off.
- Leave the phone sitting in the rice for at least 24 hours. The rice will gradually absorb any residual moisture in the port.
- After 24 hours, remove your phone and gently shake out any stuck rice particles. Use compressed air to blow out any remaining dust.
- Visually inspect the port to see if moisture was removed. Repeat with new rice if needed.
The rice absorbs ambient moisture slowly over time, helping to dry out the charging port. Just a day or two in rice can make a big difference.
Use a vacuum
You can also use a small vacuum or vacuum attachment to suck moisture out of the charging port. Here are the steps:
- Make sure your phone is turned off and unplugged.
- Use a toothpick to gently clean any visible debris from the charging port.
- Get the narrowest vacuum nozzle that can reach into the charging port. Attach it to a vacuum if needed.
- Gently insert the vacuum nozzle about 1/2 inch into the charging port, taking care not to scratch the port.
- Turn the vacuum on and let it run for 20-30 seconds while moving the nozzle around the port.
- Visually inspect the port. Repeat vacuum suction if moisture remains.
The suction from the vacuum can safely remove small droplets of moisture from the tight port space.
Use alcohol and cotton swabs
For a more direct drying approach, you can use rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs to carefully clean moisture from the charging port.
- Dampen a cotton swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Gently insert the cotton swab into the charging port and rotate to rub the interior surface.
- Listen for a crisp scrubbing sound which indicates moisture being absorbed.
- Remove and visually inspect the swab. Repeat with a new swab if moisture remains on the first one.
- Once the port looks clear of moisture, use a dry cotton swab to remove any remaining alcohol.
- Let the phone air dry for at least 30 minutes before attempting to charge.
The alcohol helps displace and evaporate residual moisture. Take care not to scrub too hard or use too much liquid which could push debris deeper into the port.
Use a portable fan or hair dryer
Applying direct, warm airflow can help evaporate stubborn moisture in the charging port. Here are some tips:
- Make sure your phone is powered off and disconnected from power.
- Visually inspect and clean any debris from the charging port.
- Position a small portable fan or hair dryer 6-8 inches from the phone.
- Blow lukewarm air directly into the charging port for 2-3 minutes, holding the phone at different angles.
- Let the phone sit for 5 minutes, then repeat another 2-3 minutes of warm air.
- Check the port carefully – repeat drying if any moisture remains.
The strong airflow helps evaporate liquid droplets while moving air through the port. Be very careful not to blow air that is too hot as it could damage phone components.
Use moisture-absorbing packs
Moisture-absorbing packs containing silica gel beads can also help dry out a wet charging port. Here is how to use them:
- Buy moisture absorber packs, often sold as dehumidifying bags, containing silica gel beads.
- Activate the packs by exposing to heat according the product instructions.
- Place the open moisture absorber pack near the phone with the charging port facing the pack.
- Leave your phone for 12-24 hours allowing moisture to get absorbed.
- Check the port and repeat with fresh moisture absorber packs if needed until dry.
The moisture absorbing packs pull ambient water vapor and moisture out of the air over several hours. Just make sure the beads don’t get into the phone port. Rotate packs out as they become saturated with moisture from the air.
Use a moisture-absorbing box or bag
In addition to packs, you can also place your phone in a sealed container with moisture-absorbing beads to dry it out. Here are some steps to follow:
- Obtain a plastic container or zipper bag and silicone moisture-absorbing beads.
- Activate the beads according to package instructions, usually by heating.
- Place activated beads in the container or bag.
- Put your phone in the container/bag with the charging port facing the beads.
- Seal the container or zip the bag closed to lock in dry air.
- Leave your powered-off phone in for at least 8 hours, up to 24 hours.
- Check phone and charging port to confirm it is dry before use.
The closed container allows maximal air circulation while keeping moist air out. This quickens the drying process versus open-air placement.
Have port cleaned at phone repair shop
For significant liquid damage or a persistently wet charging port, it’s best to take your phone to a professional phone repair shop. They can:
- Use specialized drying tools and suction cups to thoroughly dry the port.
- Disassemble the phone port to clean any corrosion and stuck moisture.
- Remove and clean the port flex cable connectors.
- Clean any debris or mineral deposits clogging the port.
- Replace any damaged charging port parts like the flex cable.
- Confirm the port is fully dry using moisture-detecting tools.
- Suggest any other needed repairs.
Phone repair experts have the right tools, parts and inspection methods to fully dry damaged charging ports and confirm ports are functioning properly after cleaning. Getting professional help can save you endless troubleshooting time and prevent permanent damage.
Prevent moisture buildup
Once your phone’s charging port is dry, you can take steps to prevent a recurrence of moisture problems:
- Never charge phone while wet – dry off first.
- Don’t use phone underwater.
- Don’t spill liquids near phone.
- Keep phone away from damp areas like showers and sinks.
- Use waterproof case when outdoors.
- Store phone in cool, dry location.
- Let phone dry out before charging if exposed to moisture.
- Consider skip-resistant case to prevent dropping phone in liquid.
- Have phone’s water seals checked each year.
Being mindful to keep your phone away from moisture and quickly drying it when splashed or dropped in water can help prevent charging port damage.
Conclusion
Liquid and moisture trapped in your phone’s charging port can be removed using methods like compressed air, rice, alcohol swabs, warm air drying, moisture-absorbing beads, and professional phone cleaning services. Taking quick action as soon as your port gets exposed to moisture will help avoid permanent damage. Be careful when trying do-it-yourself solutions and take your phone to repair experts if moisture persists for the best results.
